Brahms, Schubert - The Marlboro Music Festival
Johannes Brahms - "Liebeslieder-Walzer" op. 52
Franz Schubert: "The Shepard On The Rock" D 965
The Marlboro Music Festival Orchestra, Rudolf Serkin (Piano), Leon Fleisher (Piano : A1 - A12, B1 - B6), Harold Wright (clarinet : B7)
Benita Valente (soprano), Marlena Kleinman (Alto Vocals : A1 - A12, B1 - B6), Martial Singher (Bass Vocals : A1 - A12, B1 - B6), Benita Valente (Soprano Vocals : A1 - A12, B1 - B6), Wayne Connor (Tenor Vocals : A1 - A12, B1 - B6)
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Live
Record Press : Pallas
Label : Speakers Corner
Original Label : Columbia
Recording: August 1960 at Marlboro School of Music, Vermont (USA), by Fred Plaut
Production: Howard H. Scott
Originally released in 1961
Reissued January 2016
Tracks :
Side A : Johannes Brahms - Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op. 52
Side B : Johannes Brahms - Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op. 52
Reviews :
The waltz was perhaps the most important thing that the rather level-headed and conservative Johannes Brahms from Hamburg brought back with him from his sojourn in Vienna. In addition to his purely instrumental waltzes for the piano, he also composed the "Liebeslieder Waltzes" – uniquely folk like and highly original vocal joyfulness in ¾ time. The lyrics are taken from real life and tell of love, longing, desire, and suffering but also of anger and derision.
Just how ideally this music fits in with the workshop atmosphere of the Marlboro Summer Music Festival is fully evident here. The musicians gathered around Rudolf Serkin sing the very finest Brahms – joyous, inspired yet completely relaxed – and reflect light upon all aspects of earthly existence. An excellent choice to complement these emotions is Schubert’s penultimate composition "The Shepherd On The Rock" D 965. This great and far-too-seldom performed lied is based on three poems, which are performed impressively and with brilliant musicality by the soloist Benita Valente. And last but not least, the addition of the clarinet, which functions both as a soloist as well as imitating the voice, lends the work its particular charm.
Ratings :
Discogs : 4 / 5